LOVELAND, Colo. -- Reclamation has released a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for public review and comment for a Town of Estes Park (Estes Park) proposal to construct up to a three-level parking structure on Reclamation lands. If approved by Reclamation, the parking structure could be constructed south of the existing Estes Park Visitor Center which serves as a transit facility. In 2011, the Federal Transit Administration awarded Estes Park a $3,000,000 federal grant under the Paul S. Sabanes Transit in Park Program. The grant provides funding for the transit facility improvement and construction of a parking structure. The comment period will close on Jan. 15, 2016.
The project will expand the existing 102 stall surface parking lot by adding 108 new parking spaces in a parking structure. Another 202 new spaces could be accommodated on two future levels of the structure. The full project would result in approximately 412 parking spaces. Currently, Estes Park operates a free shuttle service to and from the Estes Park Visitor Center, with services to downtown Estes Park, Estes Park Events Complex and Park-n-Ride, Marys Lake Campground, East Portal Campground, and Rocky Mountain National Park's Fall River and Beaver Meadows Visitor Centers.
The Draft EA is available electronically at www.usbr.gov/gp/ecao/nepa/estes_park_transit.html.
Comments on the Draft EA can be sent to: Terence Stroh, Environmental Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, 11056 W. CR 18E, Loveland, CO 80537; fax: (970) 663-321; or email: tstroh@usbr.gov.
For questions related the Draft EA or to request a printed copy, please contract Terence Stroh at 970-962-4369 or tstroh@usbr.gov. For questions related to Estes Park, please contact Gregory Muhonen, Estes Parks Public Works Department at 970-577-3581 or Gmuhonen@estes.org.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
